November 19, 2017

I have been noticing that applying our grammar skills has been an area that my students are struggling most with during our ELA assessments. While grammar takes up a good portion of our literacy block, clearly my students need more support.

Keep reading to find out how we reviewed.

Starting this week I have begun to spiral our grammar skills more in class. I feel that too often students memorize something in order to do well on a test and then it is forgotten. Application is also a large part of students to show they have mastered a skill.

Not only were these centers fun for my students, they showed me a lot of where there weakness and strengths are.

Headband Game

This was so much fun! I saw other teachers take a spin on the popular game and play it in their classroom to review concepts. So, I figured I would give it a go!

As a thank you for being a follower, you can grab this game for free! Click here to download.

Boom Cards/Task Cards

At the second station, students worked on the laptops to complete the boom cards I created. For these cards, students had to read the sentences and type the verb in the box. Cards are self-correcting for students. In addition, the teacher can view the data on the individual students. Great way to assess your students as well.

If you have not tried Boom Cards yet, I have included traditional task cards as well. Students will read the sentences and write the verb on the recording sheet. My students love to complete task cards as a whole group scoot game!

Interested in this resource?

November 16, 2017

I have to tell you all, I am LOVING Boom Cards in my classroom. Even better, my students are loving them. If you are not familiar with Boom Cards click here to read about getting started.

How Am I Using Boom Cards?

Boom Cards are used in my classroom daily during Math Centers. During centers there is an option for "At Your Seat". Instead of having my students work with paper and pencil we utilize our laptops for Boom Cards.

Feedback From Students

Boom cards are still relatively new, and therefore my students have not been exposed to them. I know this because I am teaching coworkers about Boom Cards! Since they are new for my students there is a huge buy in from my students. One reason students are enjoying the cards is that they can work on them from home and redo sets that they enjoy.

Student Data

I created log ins for my students and assign all decks to my students. This allows me to collect data on my students, as well as analyze their errors.

Great for Early Finishers

Including centers I have also left out laptops for students to complete ELA cards when they are finished with an assignment. My students quickly understand how to sign in and select their decks to complete. Decks do not require teacher support as there is audio included in some slides.

Homework

Send home your log in codes for your students to practice at home! During conferences I had some great feedback from parents that their child was excited to practice!

Free Decks

If you are interested in checking out boom cards, you may like these free decks!

August 19, 2017

It is so hard to believe that I am back to reality already! Last week I spent five days in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and it was amazing! Even better was Myranda and I were reunited for another adventure. It is hard to believe that it has been 2 years since we saw each other! But in true fashion, we added another stamp to our passport together.

We took a glass bottom boat tour to see the Arch

What to Pack

This is always the hardest part when you are traveling some where new. (My first time in Mexico) However, I do have some MUST HAVES to pack when traveling. Sunblock, a camera and makeup. That is it. If I just took those three things with a bathing suit and shorts - I would have still had an amazing trip.

Carry Ons

I definitely could have packed my trip in a carry on only. A huge perk of that is you do not need to pay to check it. Also, most flights will ask for people who want to check their carry on. If given the option I ALWAYS do that. It is such a time saver, removes hassle of pulling it down and it is usually waiting for you when you get off the plane.

However, this trip I went with checking a bag and only used a backpack as a carry on. I will only ever use a backpack as carry on. Light weight, fits under the seat in front of me and can easily be grabbed when I am getting off my flight. It is not the most fashionable, but it is practically. And lets be honest, if you have to run between terminals - it is totally ideal.

Sun Block

Okay, this is kind of a given.You need to pack sunscreen but this stuff right here is amazing. Myranda first shared it with me when we traveled to Greece. We used it on our face, neck and shoulders. And somehow, I did not burn all day! I swear by this stuff and it is now a staple in my makeup bag. You can buy it at Sephora.

Makeup

In case you weren't aware. Myranda is the QUEEN of makeup. She is so talented and loves her MAC. She brought along this waterproof foundation and I could not thank her enough! I normally don't wear a lot of makeup and prefer a natural look. Throw this on, a little waterproof mascara and my powder sunblock - the I am vacay and camera ready!

Camera

NECESSITY! Sorry, I know smartphones are coming out with these amazing cameras but I LOVE my DSLR. Even though I love my camera, this is not the type of trip for it to come on. And I am so glad I didn't bring it. We were out on some serious adventures that I would of never used it on.

Before I left I ran to Best Buy to make a splurge on an underwater camera. I have been wanting one for so long and it was an awesome purchase! I bought it the day I was leaving, nothing like last minute. It came with a floaty strap so I did not have to worry about losing it in the Sea of Cortez!

I am very happy with the quality of the images as well. This camera is a tank which gave me a lot of peace of mind. It survived the ocean, pools, and a bumpy ride on a UTV. All the while my cell phone was safely packed away.

Water

This one is no joke. It is so easy to get dehydrated! Drink up and you will feel so much better for it. I also took an airborne every morning. Traveling takes it out on you, the last thing I want to do is get sick!

Real talk - we went in August. Prepare to sweat like none other. The humidity is crazy! But the relief from the A/C in the room is everything!

Must Dos in Cabo

Wild Canyon Adventures

If you find yourself in Cabo, you need to make a visit here.

Fantastic people, stunning views and awesome adventures. We first signed up for the Camel ride. Our guide was awesome! While we were enjoying lunch we saw the suspension bridge and decided we needed to sign up for the UTV rides!

This place made our vacation!

Camel Rides

When I first arrived in Mexico, Myranda was filling me in on what they had already signed up for. The minute she said we were going to ride a camel I knew this was going to be a great trip! It was about a 20 minute ride but our guide made the whole experience. At the end of the trip we went to check out the animal sanctuary and feed the birds.

July 3, 2017

I am so excited! I am spending this week in Florida with one of my very best friends from college. Before I Jet Set out of here, I wanted to share what I have been busy working on.

Coding Mouse

I LOVE the idea of coding and integrating technology into the classroom. Next year I would love to use this coding mouse for a hands on practice and review. Keep an eye out for a blog post all about coding in Kindergarten!

Paperless ABC Matching

I love all things paperless for the classroom! My students will work on their skills and letter identification with this paperless resource. I have included both Boom Cards and a link for Google Slides!

Memory Book

I am so amazed by the memory book idea from Easy Teaching Tools. I can't wait to get in my classroom and set them up. The amazing work sign will be the first sheet on the memory book. At the end of the year I will use Kristen's idea the cover page with their picture. I am so excited for this idea, read about how she does it here.

Book Bins

Organizing classroom books is always a chore. But I am determined this year to have the classroom library I have always wanted. I made themed labels for the bins with matching labels for the books. I can not wait to see it all together. I ordered these book bins to make my library complete!

CVC Boom Cards

Have you heard about Boom Cards? I am obsessed with them! Read all about them here. I have been busy making cards to use during centers next year. They can also be assigned as homework!

June 24, 2017

As teachers we are constantly evolving in our ideas and strategies we utilize in the classroom. Technology is one of those aspects we must stay on top of and evolve with. If not solely for the fact that we want our students to have exposure.

As most of you know I have been exploring and creating digital resources to be used in the classroom. My students were able to learn skills this past school year that fellow educators did not even know about! They felt so amazing and empowered!

What are Boom Cards?

Great Question! I feel that you will not accept the answer of just "awesome".
Boom Cards are a paperless task card that, brace yourself, are SELF CORRECTING!!

Two Words: GAME. CHANGER.

No more laminating. Cutting. Printing. None of that. Your cards are entirely digital.

How to use boom cards?

Similarly to Google Classroom, you can create a classroom for your students. You can use the classroom to keep records on your students' performance. However, you can also assign decks through a fast play. This would be perfect as homework or group work.

If your students log in, this is the screen they will see.

Once signed in, students will select one of the assignments to complete.

Students will complete the assignments.

Since the cards are self-correcting students will need little guidance. If they are student, they can chose to "surrender" a card and the correct answers will be shown.

When students have completed the assignment there is the ability to view their percentage they had correct. This is a great option to have parents also check.

Checking data on the student end can be seen below.

On the teacher's end you will be able to see how each student scored on an assignment. You can find this information your teacher dashboard by clicking "reports".

In addition to show your the percentage scored, it also shows you the amount of time that your students took to complete the cards. How great is this! I will certainly be creating a personal set for my students to have them identify sight words.

Paperless.Self Grading.Time Saving.Enough Said.

But it gets better!

BoomLearning.com is a paid subscription site. However, with your first set purchased on TeachersPayTeachers you will receive your first year FREE.

Since I am teaching Kindergarten again next year, all of my boom cards will be primary based. You can check them out here.

If you have any questions about Boom Cards I would love to help or get your the answer. Be sure to click here to join the Facebook Group!

How I will use Boom Cards

I am so excited and busy creating because I want to get started with boom cards in the Fall. I plan on using them during centers for both Math and ELA. I also love the idea of assigning them for homework.

June 15, 2017

First up are these adorable birthday straws from The Husky Loving Teacher. What a smart idea to make these over the summer and have them on hand for birthdays! Click here to grab her FREE Birthday Tags!

As soon as I saw her post this image on Instagram I went hunting for a good deal on straws. Success at Dollar Tree Online! Ordered them and they will ship for free to my local store!

Next year I am implementing a Golden Pineapple in place of a student of the month award. I want to focus each month on a different character trait. Then at the end of that month I will select the student who has showed the most growth in that area.

My goal is to build a classroom community in which we uplift one another. Click here to pick them up!

I know I know, it is summer break and I am thinking about next year. But honestly, I am still in school mode and creating for next year does not stress me out. Soooo, for September I want to celebrate Talk Like A Pirate Day! I made this fun math center for my students to work on compare numbers.